Insight: This is a question that plagues many Christians so do not feel alone in this. We as Christians often get this preconceived notion that we need to be perfect. God actually calls us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16; Leviticus 11:44-45) which doesn't mean perfect, it means set apart. God wants us to live lives that are different than those around us. He knows we are prone to sin. He knows what we are capable of. I believe that it is us who expect perfection from others.

Insight: One thing you need to ask yourself is, are those people that are asking for help expecting you to be at your best, or less than that? Most people want us to be at our best, otherwise we could be hindering their progress. How can someone give their best if they are burning themselves out; the simple answer is they can't. So it is in everyone's best interests to say no from time to time.